There are plenty of Rugby League betting opportunities on offer for punters that have been waiting to get back to the joy of the NRL since the Cronulla Sharks secured their maiden premiership title last October.

It’s the fourth NRL Auckland Nines competition this year at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, and NRL betting fans should get in on the action now with talk it could also be the last of the tournament.

All 16 of the NRL teams are over in NZ fighting for the prize money and below we take a look at the full Auckland Nines Tournament Games and make our Rugby League odds selections.

The 2015 NRL Premiers are always short in Auckland Nines betting and start favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au again at $4. The squad is at nearly full-strength making for an imposing line-up of hard-hitters ready for the game they love to dominate. Headliners like Jason Taumalolo always thrive here and play with the champion Johnathan Thurston for the first time.

A pretty weak Roosters squad heads over for the tournament this club never really seems to standout in. The prize money and boasting rights don’t seem to be enough to lure the best the Tri-colours have to offer and as such they’ll be knocked out pretty early as their big Auckland Nine odds.

The Lima-led Raiders don’t feature in Auckland Nines betting and their weak squad selection is why. They face a tough tournament line-up in a Group dominated by the Cowboys and won’t be last but won’t be challenging for the title either.

About $17 on offer for the Bunnies who always turn up and take the Auckland Nines seriously. From their past 13 games in this competition played they have enjoyed nine wins so the strike rate is pretty good. Genuine roughie club to look out for.

The Knights have good Auckland Nines form, until the knockout stages of course, but still look overs at $26 to finally win. Like the Cowboys they’ve qualified all three years, but the quarter-finals is when they come undone. Could this be their year?

The Storm are one of the most imposing NRL teams the Premiership has to offer, but the Auckland Nines isn’t the prize they’re after. Coach Craig Bellamy is never shy to say what he really thinks of the tournament and there’s not much in this fringe side to suggest he cares where they finish.

No other Auckland Nines team should be too worried about the Tigers looking at their disastrous previous form in the tournament. They’ll be one of the worst performers no doubt especially playing without Mitchell Moses.

Always one of the stars kept short in Auckland Nines betting despite what their coach thinks of the comp and this year the Broncos are second elects behind foes the Cowboys to take out the whole thing. Anthony Milford will be a standout for them and they’ll be right in the finish.

The reigning NRL Premiership winners are out to carry that drought-breaking form into the Auckland Nines format and could prove to be over the odds with a newfound confidence to take them further than some predict. Graham is there bringing the gruff toughness along with Lewis, with the squad’s depth extended by the likes of Beale and Bird.

No surprise to see the pretty short price for the third Queensland club that goes over with nearly a full-strength squad. They’re in it with one-time NFL player Jarryd Hayne this year and that’ll boost their chances. Right team, right competition, wrong odds. Get them before they firm.

Roughie squad of the Auckland Nines competition for 2017, but omit completely at your own peril. This is a sneaky looking little team that could perform under pressure and give their dismal record in the comp a boost.

The Eels are aiming at back-to-back Auckland Nines Championship titles and are third favourites in betting to get the job done again with Norman there to skipper the side who, if successful, will hopefully be able to officially hang onto it. They’ve got a tough draw and the Warriors are there to be beaten in this Group, but livewire chance.

The Warriors are always out to perform on their home turf and their record is consistent without being dominant. They go so close, but are yet to take it out overall and that’ll likely be the case once again in 2017.

The Frizell-captain Dragons have talent, but not enough. Dugan isn’t coming over so think their focus is on the upcoming Premiership for sure. They won’t be disgraced, but they won’t be a danger either.